“Sir, yes, sir.” Soaked, flushed and utterly wicked, she leaned against the wall and lifted a leg into the spray. “Except… Permission to linger a bit more, sir. My thoughts are only getting dirtier. They could use a good scrubbing.”
“Do not try my patience, goddess. I’ve treated you kindly so far.” Far kinder than she deserved, going against his basest instincts. “That can change at any moment.”
“What am I supposed to wear? Someone forgot to fetch me that negligee. Or am I supposed to walk around naked?”
Growling again, he returned to his room at the Downfall, where he gathered a handful of garments from his closet. He returned to the same spot and—stopped breathing. In anticipation of his arrival, Viola had switched locations. Now, she stood only a whisper away. So close he detected the golden flecks in her whiskey eyes.
His heart thudded. “Goddess?”
“I have a question for you,” she intoned, peering up at him. Her cherry-red lips were parted, a moan of delight seeming poised for release. “How badly do you want me, beast?”
Chapter Five
Caught up in her own game? Check. Viola kept forgetting Brochan bore a terrible grudge against her. But maybe he kept forgetting too? The longer she’d showered and chatted with him, doing her best to feign nonchalance, the more intently he’d surveyed her. He struck her as a man at the end of a year-long fast, who’d just discovered the last morsel of food in existence. How could she not crave more of that?
She wasn’t the only one. Narcissism loved every second. With each longing glance, Brochan flooded her with satisfaction and incomparable power. Was there anything better?
Why had she ever run from Brochan, anyway? Here, now, as the Forsaken radiated great waves of heat, she wished to sidle closer to him. For her mission, of course. Only her mission.
Will enjoy entrancing this volatile male, then punishing him for daring to threaten Fluffy.
Unless Viola did, in fact, make him fall in love with her. Should she? Added bonus: She would be punishing him so much worse. Lust burned brightly for but a moment. Love lasted forever.
Change a man’s endgame, and you forever altered the course of his life. The moment she won Brochan’s heart, his vendetta reached its end. Love conquered all, and that was an inescapable truth. She’d seen it time and time again. The moment the Forsaken loved her, he would long only to protect and pleasure her. Harm Fluffy? Never again. He might even offer Viola the same loyalty he granted McCadden.
Loyalty was her kryptonite, and Brochan’s exhibition of it was oh, so enticing.
As amazing and wonderful and perfect and glorious and magnificent and exquisite and brilliant and delightful as she was, she deserved such loyalty. Yet, no suitor had ever demonstrated devotion equal to hers.
Before Viola accepted a gift of immortality from a male, she presented him with the opportunity of a lifetime: Betray <insert the name of his most cherished loved one>, and I’ll stay with you forever. No one had ever responded correctly.
Brochan dropped the bundle of clothing at her feet. Even as he heaved his breaths while repeatedly fisting and opening his hands, he reminded her of a statue. Cold. Hard. Intractable. “Remove yourself from me, goddess.” The hoarse command lacked substance.
“Happy to,” she told him with a silky undertone. She brushed the tip of her nose against his. “After you answer my question.” In case he’d forgotten it, she said, “How badly do you want me? If you’d rather not get into the nitty-gritty details, a simple more than anything will do.”
“Understand me now. I will never take you,” he vowed, his gaze like flint on hers. Except, his pupils were expanding, overtaking those pale irises.
He wants me bad. Who could blame him? She was naked, damp…and hungry.
“Now, now, Brochan. That isn’t an acceptable answer. It’s a lie.” She wound her arms around his shoulders and toyed with the ends of his dark hair. “Besides, think back. I never offered you the use of my body. I merely inquired about your overwhelming feelings on the matter.”
His eyelids drooped, his calm mask slipping. Just enough to offer a glimpse of the uncivilized beast lurking beneath the surface. “Feelings have no bearing on the situation,” he grated. “Overwhelming or otherwise.”
Adorable monster, with his long, curling lashes and freckles. Aggressive warrior, with his harsh features and big body, simmering hotter and hotter. Sexy body. The most muscular one in existence—a visual feast! Faultless.
How had he not exploded already? Better question: How far did she want this to go?
Voice low and silky, she asked, “No bearing on the situation? Not ever? Because I’m feeling a need to be kissed by you. Surely you’ve wondered how good I taste…”
A growl rumbled in his chest. “I owe you nothing, goddess. Not answers. Certainly not a kiss.” He settled his grip on her hips, lifted her, and set her a few feet away from him. Seconds passed, but he maintained his hold, never releasing her. He began to pant. “I should let the other Forsaken have you.”
“Do they put out? Because I might go willingly.” As she awaited his next move, cool air lapped at heated flesh. What would he do? “I’d do anyone right now. Obviously.”
He narrowed his eyes and tightened his clasp, squeezing before lifting her a second time and placing her directly in front of him. “You should curry my favor.”
“Or you should curry mine. I’m quite handsy when I’m happy. By the way, I’m happiest when I’m safe…and recovering from an orgasm.”
His gaze slid to her lips, and he gulped.
Oh, yes. He wants me. Awareness of him seared her brain, her every cell. Sizzling arousal rushed through her veins. Her limbs trembled. She should have undressed and showered for this male sooner.
In a day, perhaps two, Brochan would be so besotted, he’d do anything she asked, even acquire an energy boost for Fluffy. Then, they could work together to ensure the forever murder of the Forsaken.
Everything was falling into place quite nicely.
“I like this half-maiden, half-conqueror thing you’ve got going on,” she told him, dragging her blunt-tipped nails along his scalp. “Yeah, you’re right. You probably shouldn’t kiss me. I’d be super into it.” When she brushed the base of a horn, his breath hitched. A delightful reaction. “And you do hope to punish me, yes?”
“Hope? No. I will.” Moving too swiftly to track, he gripped her throat. A favorite hold, apparently. As he angled her chin higher, his claws pricked the length of her carotid. Why, why, why did the action thrill her? “Understand me, goddess. I’m not one of your conquests. I’ll never be one of your conquests.”
Are you sure, beast? “Very well. If you don’t want to bend me over that bench and slam into me from behind, that is your prerogative. Let’s hammer out the details of our partnership instead.” With every word she uttered, her throat moved against his palm, a shockingly erotic caress. “With my help, you can destroy the other Forsaken.”
“Choose my brother’s treacherous ex over my own kind?” He glared down at her, a man at war, the battlefield harsh and bloody. “Why would I ever?”
“For starters, I look better naked.”